IMDonehere

I have not rented a car in Spain for about 8 years and will need one just for a week in Santiago to be picked up and dropped off at the airport. (We will not be staying in the City, so there is not the usual burden.)

Avis through AARP has given a better price that Auto Europe. And even though it is a few dollars more than Dollar, I thought Avis might be easier.

Has anyone had trouble with any particular car rental facility in terms of scratches, dents, hidden charges in Spain? Will be renting a manual and although my credit card has a CDW, I am getting collision insurance.

We have rented a car dozens of times in Europe but between the electronic surveillance tickets and the nickel and diming by the rental companies, it is become more unpleasant, a lot like the airlines.

Thank you in advance.

ribeirasacra

According to this these are the only rentals at the airport.
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/Ae...de-coches.html
We have had various guests (due to personal car breakdowns)hire from Europcar, including me and step daughter. Used the offices in Ourense you get a discount if you used the trains. That office has been good. It is always best to obtain all insurances as even small scratches can be charged for. What the one at the airport is like I have no idea. Never hear about car rental stories after most folks leave.

IMDonehere

Ribe, years ago I rented at a large facility in Santiago, maybe they closed it.

We know the head of security at SCQ. I do not know if that would be of any help.

IMDonehere

I just checked there are about four or five car rental facilities in Santiago. We are flying in and out of Madrid.

Bedar

Had to use Avis last year (thru AutoEurope). It was fine. No problems. Yes, the roads are heavily camera-ed up. Got a ticket in 2010 so took extra care last summer. Also lots of police on the road checking for alcohol and drugs. Fine with us.

sundriedtopepo

Our last trip we rented from Europcar at SDCompostela airport. I had prepaid, and they charged me not a dime more, with easy return to Bilbao airport.

In the south, we rented from Avis in Seville, returning to Malaga airport. I prepaid that as well, but got dinged for an unspecified reason for around $60 which I never did get back. Also the invoice which they sent by email did not at all match with the original online charges, although it did add up, except for the $60, but was very confusing.

Our car had gotten scraped in a parking lot, so we were charged their standard deductible amount, somewhere around $200, but I got that refunded from the credit card insurance coverage.

sundriedtopepo

For our upcoming trip I got the best rates from AutoEurope.

IMDonehere

I checked AutoEurope and actually got better rates through Expedia/AARP.

IMDonehere

I will have two pairs of glasses and an IDP.

Changing subjects

We wanted to reserve a hotel, as there some illnesses in the family and might not want to be a burden and stay with them. We went to Booking.com and one hotel we like very much is A Tafuna do Peregrino in Santiago was sold out. It is about a 15 minute walk from the Cathedral

We wrote directly to the hotel and reserved a room immediately.

We went back to the Booking just to check and many places in Santiago were supposedly sold out. We have used them in about 10 countries and with one exception had no problem. Don't know what their problem is.

ribeirasacra

Yes you should look around if places are not showing availability.
I am in Booking too, but as the rates they charge are quite high we do not realise all of the rooms to Booking.com But I still like to suggest that site for the honest reviews. I even have their app on my phone to because reservation is quick and easy.

IMDonehere

We do compare rates when we chose a place On Booking including the hotel's websites.

Bedar

Ribeira - Thank you so much for that info on how Booking.com works. We thought what you said was so, amd now you confirmed it ! Bravo !!